Chocolate Cupcakes with Mint Chocolate Chip Frosting

By JacqueDavison

Ingredients

• Chocolate Cupcakes
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 and 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• Mint Chocolate Chip Frosting
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 3-4 cups powdered (confectioners') sugar
• 2 Tablespoons heavy cream (see note below about substitutions)
• 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract (or more, see recipe instructions)
• 2 drops green food dye
• pinch of salt, as needed
• 2/3 cup mini chocolate chips

Preparation

Step 1

Make the cupcakes: Preheat oven to 375F degrees. Line 14 muffin cups with liners.
Over high heat, bowl the water in a small saucepan. Pour the unsweetened cocoa powder into a medium sized bowl and mix with boiling water until smooth. Allow to cool to room temperature by placing in the refrigerator as you prepare the other ingredients.
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium sized bowl. Set aside.
In a large bowl, using an electric hand or stand mixer, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla extract. Slowly add the flour mixture and beat only until just combined. In a steady stream, add the cooled cocoa mixture and stir until smooth.
Fill each muffin tin 3/4 of the way full with batter. Bake for 16-19 minutes, keeping an eye on them to avoid even the slightest burning (which will lend dry cupcakes). My cupcakes took 17 minutes and a toothpick inserted in the middle came out clean. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool before frosting.
Make the frosting: beat softened butter on medium speed with an electric mixer. Beat for about 30-60 seconds until smooth and creamy. Add 3 cups of powdered sugar, cream, peppermint extract, and food coloring. Increase to high speed and beat for 3 minutes. Add more powdered sugar if frosting is too thin (up to 4 cups) or more cream if mixture is too thick. Add salt if the frosting is too sweet. You may also add more food coloring if desired or more peppermint extract if it is not minty enough. Stir in the chocolate chips by hand.
Frost cooled cupcakes. There may be leftover frosting depending how much you use on each cupcake.